SUPPORTERS of a North Yorkshire doctor struck off for his involvement in the death of an Iraqi detainee have handed in a petition calling for his reinstatement.

More than 1,000 people signed the petition backing former Northallerton GP Derek Keilloh.

The document was handed to Richmond MP William Hague who has agreed to present it to Parliament. Mr Keilloh was found guilty of misleading and dishonest conduct following the death of Iraqi prisoner Baha Mousa in Basra in 2003.

In December, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) erased his name from the Medical Register, ending his career as a doctor.

However, supporters say he has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

Sara Webster, a former patient of the GP who has been involved in the campaign, said “Although we now realise there is little chance of us getting our excellent doctor back, we wished to show our gratitude by continuing to campaign.

“I owe this to him - I would not be here now if it was not for his ability to listen and diagnose accurately.”

Mr Keilloh has been told by his legal team that he has no legal basis to appeal the MPTS decision.

However, he added: “I am very grateful for the support of my former patients and colleagues showing their faith in me by creating and signing this campaign.

“I was extremely disappointed with the outcome of the GMC/MPTS hearing and also the legal advice against the prospect of appeal.

“This support has been a source of consolation for me and my family.”

The petition handed to Mr Hague contained 1,034 handwritten signatures. A further 1,188 names have been collected on an on-line petition, with comments from as far afield as New Zealand.

Signatures are still being collected. For details, visit http://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/support-Derek-Keilloh Mr Keilloh, now 38, was a newly-qualified doctor with the Queen's Lancashire Regiment when he tried to save 26-year-old Mr Mousa, who had been beaten by British troops.

The MPTS panel concluded Mr Keilloh had been more aware of Mr Mousa's injuries than he revealed in his statements to a court martial and public inquiry.